tenant reports ants.spiders, does landlord pay for pest control?

Question

The tenant reported that they have recently noticed an increase in bugs and spiders inside the house and wasps in the front yard. They got scared that the kids will be bitten by spiders. They would like to have a pest control service which costs $40/month, and asking whether we (the landlord) would cover that cost. They have lived there for 4 years, and this is the first time they reported this. We are in California. I checked the law says landlord is responsible for pest control to keep the house livable.But our house has no pest problem before and not sure if this is due to their own negligence or our house. How should I proceed this?

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

@Lilly Fang, if this is a single family rental, I have pest control as a tenant responsibility in my lease. I would point that lease paragraph out to them and tell them they are welcome to hire a professional service of their choice at their own cost.

I personally do a treatment for spiders etc during turnovers so that tenants are starting with a unit that doesn't have even a minor pest issue. That allows me to feel confident that a tenant making a request like this isn't at all being disadvantaged when I deny them.

Linda S. · Answer

@Lilly Fang,

This reminds me of a convo I had with a tenant a couple of years ago, and she says "I saw a large snake!" and I'm like "omg, how did it get in the house?" and she was like "No, it was in the front yard" .... and I'm like "That's where snakes live, outside."

I would spray very liberally with the Ortho Home Defense, and also drop off a bottle, and suggest they spray  as often as needed-- and see if that works.    You can also drop off some wasp spray, and do the same thing.    It's coming up on fall, so hopefully bugs won't be as big of an issue.

If this doesn't solve the problem, I would suggest splitting it-- as they are mainly complaining about outside things, you can't stop bugs from living outside.    If they push back a lot, cover it and factor it into their rent increase next year.

Tom T. · Answer

@Lilly Fang

I provide both quarterly pest control and trash services through licensed 3rd party companies.  My tenants are free set up their appointments.  Nobody likes bugs. If they keep the trash out and a tidy house, there should never be a problem.  Plus I know the owners so I will be notified if I need to schedule an inspection.

In your case. Id negotiate maybe a 50-50 and look to build it into a next lease. I would not let them handle it though.

Thats my 2 cents.

Greg M. · Answer

Legally it is a grey area. Landlords in CA are generally responsible for pests. However, since these pests weren't present when they moved in, and also don't fall under certain exemptions (bed bugs, cockroaches, mice), the issue could be viewed as tenant caused and therefore, tenant responsibility. Since this is a new issue, it's probably not caused by the tenant being dirty.

Over the last month, my home has been overrun by ants. They aren't looking for food, but water. Two weeks of 100*+ weather brought them out.

I'd hire a company to come out once and spray with the pet safe "natural chemicals". If they spray using their standard chemicals, you are responsible for informing the tenant of what chemicals were used.

Melanie Thomas · Answer

This should be spelled out in your lease agreement. In my lease, this is listed as a tenant expense. However, as a courtesy if a tenant has any insect/bug issues within the first 30 days, we would take care of it for them. Take a look at a company called PestShare. You could use pest control as a profit center. Good luck and happy Investing!

Curtis Mears · Answer

@Lilly Fang

Personally, no way I would pay 40 a month. I would send out the pest guy to spray, but I would not do  a continuation of service.

Vanessa Regalado · Answer

@Lilly Fang as a property manager I would say it really depends on the issue and what your lease states. We would never leave tenants to take care of pest issues, some might neglect the situation to a point that could potentially bring more issues to other tenants or cause damages to the property. If your lease says the tenant is supposed to take care of pest control, then have the tenant do it at their expense and request a copy of the service receipt. If not, then follow what your local ordinances call for.

Lilly Fang · Answer

Thank you!!

Henry T. · Answer

Tell them you want to come in and inspect. Look for food droppings or lack of cleanliness.  If it's really spoltless and clean, hire Orkin to do a once around spray.  Wasp, $3.95 can should take of that.

tenant reports ants.spiders, does landlord pay for pest control?

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